Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Numbers of Lymphocytes and Goblet Cells in Villus Epithelia of Layers under Heat Stress

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine additives on numbers of lymphocytes and goblet cells in villus epithelia of layers under heat stress.[Method] A total of 180 88-d-old healthy Esa Brown cocks were selected.They were randomly divided into 9 experimental groups：Room temperature control,High temperature control,VC addition group,High formula I,Moderate formula I,Low formula I,High formula II,Moderate formula II and Low formula II.The formula I and formula II were to add different herbal extracts to the diet of cocks with different doses.The cocks in the VC addition group were administered orally with same-concentration VC solution.After certain time,the cocks were slaughtered.Then the numbers of epithelial lymphocytes and goblet cells in various segments of small intestine were counted by using conventional histological section and HE staining.[Result] The numbers of lymphocytes and goblet cells in villus epithelia of layers under heat stress were decreased gradually with the proceeding of experiment.The herbal extracts of formula I and formula II all could promote the generation of lymphocytes and goblet cells.But the promoting effect of formula II was best.[Conclusion] The Chinese herbal medicine additives have a good relieving effect on heat stress in layers.

Therapeutic effect of microencapsulated porcine retinal pigmented epithelial cells transplantation on rat model of Parkinson's disease

Object To investigate the therapeutic effect of microencapsulated porcine retinal pigmented epithelial cells （RPE-M） transplantation on rat model of Parkinson＇s disease （PD）. Methods Primary porcine RPE cells were harvested by enzyme digestion and expanded in culture medium. Determine the levels ofdopamine （DA） and homovanillic acid （HVA） by high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical （HPLC） assay, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and glial-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） were detected by ELISA. Alginate-polylysine-alginate （APA） microencapsulated cells were produced by using a high voltage electrostatic system. PD rat model was established by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA） into the medial forebrain bundle （MFB）. After that, the RPE-M was transplanted into the corpus striatum of PD rat, and then the rotation test scores were recorded and biochemical changes of the corpus striatum were tested. Results The levels of DA, HVA, BDNF and GDNF secreted by RPE were stable in the RPE culture supernatant and were not changed by the microencapsulation. Eighty-three percent rats developed PD by unilateral lesion of 6-OHDA in the MFB. The RPE-M transplantation had therapeutic effect on 33% PD rats. Conclusion Porcine RPE cells grow actively in vitro and could secrete DA, HVA, BDNF, and GDNF constantly, which does not be affected by the passage culture and the APA miroencapsulation. RPE-M transplantation of may be a curative therapy for PD.

Pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma and splenic metastasis

Only a few cases of pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma (P-HCC) have been reported in the literature. The common sites of extrahepatic metastases in patients with HCC are the lungs, regional lymph nodes, kidney, bone marrow and adrenals. Metastasis to spleen is mostly via hematogenous metastasis, direct metastasis to spleen was very rare. We report a case of P-HCC presenting as a left upper abdominal lesions which involved the spleen that was actually a P-HCC with splenic metastasis. This case is unique as P-HCC directly involved the spleen which is not via hematogenous metastasis.

Incidence and survival of stomach cancer in a high-risk population of Chile

AIM:To study the incidence and survival rate of stomach cancer(SC)and its associated factors in a high risk population in Chile. METHODS:The population-based cancer registry of Valdivia,included in the International Agency for Research on Cancer system,covers 356 396 residents of Valdivia Province,Southern Chile.We studied all SC cases entered in this Registry during 1998-2002 (529 cases).Population data came from the Chilean census(2002).Standardized incidence rates per 100 000 inhabitants(SIR)using the world population, cumulative risk of developing cancer before age 75, and rate ratios by sex,age,ethnicity and social factors were estimated.Relative survival(EdererⅡmethod) and age-standardized estimates(Brenner method) were calculated.Specific survival rates(Kaplan-Meier) were measured at 3 and 5 years and survival curves were analyzed with the Logrank and Breslow tests. Survival was studied in relation to demographics, clinical presentation,laboratory results and medical management of the cases.Those variables significantly associated with survival were later included in a Cox multivariate model. RESULTS:Between 1998 and 2002,529 primary gastric cancers occurred in Valdivia(crude incidence rate 29.2 per 100000 inhabitants).Most cases were male(69.0%), residents of urban areas(57.5%)and Hispanic(83.2%), with a low education level(84.5%<8 school years). SC SIR was higher in men than women(40.8 and 14.8 respectively,P<0.001),risk factors were low education RR 4.4(95%CI:2.9-6.8)and 1.6,(95%CI:1.1-2.1) for women and men respectively and Mapuche ethnicity only significant for women(RR 2.2,95%CI:1.2-3.7).Of all cases,76.4%were histologically confirmed,11.5% had a death certificate only(DCO),56.1%were TNM stageⅣ;445 cases(84.1%)were eligible for survival analysis,all completed five years follow-up;42 remained alive,392 died of SC and 11 died from other causes. Specific 5-year survival,excluding cases with DCO,was 10.6%(95%CI:7.7-13.5);5-year relative survival rate was 12.3%(95%CI:9.1-16.1),men 10.9%(95%CI: 7.4-15.2)and women 16.1%(95%CI:9.5-24.5).Fiveyear specific survival was higher for patients aged<55 years(17.3%),with intestinal type of cancer(14.6%), without metastasis(22.2%),tumor size<4 cm(60.0%), without lymphatic invasion(77.1%),only involvement of the mucous membrane(100%).Statistically significant independent prognostic factors were:TNM staging, diffuse type,metastasis,supraclavicular adenopathy, palpable tumor,and hepatitis or ascites. CONCLUSION:Social determinants are the main risk factors for SC,but not for survival.An advanced clinical stage at consultation is the main cause of poor SC survival.

Disposal and Use of Sewage on Agricultural Lands in Pakistan: A Review

Raw sewage is widely used on agricultural soils in urban areas of developing countries to meet water shortages. Although it is a good source of plant nutrients, such sewage also increases the heavy metal load to soils, which may impact the food chain. Management options for sewage contaminated soils includes addition of nontoxic compounds such as lime, calcium sulfate and organic matter, which form insoluble metal complexes, thus reducing metal phytoavailability to plants. In this paper we review the variation in irrigation quality of sewage at different sites and its impact on the quality of soils and vegetables. Although quality of sewage was highly variable at source, yet the effluent from food industries was relatively safe for irrigation. In comparison effluent samples collected from textile, dyeing, calendaring, steel industry, hospitals and clinical laboratories, foundries and tanneries were hazardous with respect to soluble salts, sodium adsorption ratio and heavy metals like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt and cadmium. The sewage quality in main drains was better than that at the industry outlet, but was still not safe for irrigation. In general, higher accumulation of metals in fruits and vegetable roots was recorded compared to that in plant leaves, Edible parts of vegetables （fruits and/or leaves） accumulated metals more than the permissible limits despite the soils contained ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetie acid extractable metals within a safe range. In either case further scientific investigations are needed to ensure safe management strategies. Cadmium appeared to be the most threatening metal especially in leafy vegetables. It is advisable to avoid leafy vegetables cultivation in sewage irrigated areas everywhere to restrict its entry into food chain.

Duodenal intraepithelial T lymphocytes in patients with functional dyspepsia

AIM： To quantify the intraepithelial lymphocytes （IELs） and to document the membrane expression of CD4, CD8, TCRγδ and adhesion and/or activation-associated molecules （CD103, CD28, CD44, CD69, HLA-DR, CD95/ Fas） in the duodenal mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia （FD） in order to provide arguments for an immunological process in FD. METHODS： Twenty-six FD patients according to Rome Ⅱ criteria （20 were H pylori negative） were studied and compared to 12 healthy adults. IELs were isolated from five duodenal biopsy samples, then quantified by microscopy and flow cytometry while the membrane phenotypes were determined by cytofluorometry. RESULTS： Duodenal histological examination was normal. In H pylori negative patients, the number of IELs was not different from that in healthy controls. Median percentage expression of CD4, CD8, or TCRy8 and CD103, CD44, CD28, CD69 on CD3＋ IELs, among the adhesion/activation associated molecules tested, was not different from that in healthy controls. In contrast, the median percentage expression of CD95/ Fas [22 （9-65） vs 45 （19-88）, P = 0.03] and HLADR expressing CD3＋ IELs [4 （0-30） vs 13 （4-42）, P = 0.04] was significantly lower in the H pylori negative FD group than in healthy controls, respectively. The number of IELs was significantly greater in H pylori positive FD patients than in healthy controls [median ratio for 100 enterocytes 27.5 （6.7-62.5） vs 10.8 （3-33.3）, P = 0.02] due to a higher number of CD8＋ CD3＋ IELs. CONCLUSION： In H pylori negative FD patients, the phenotypic characterization of IELs suggests that we cannot exclude a role of IELs in FD.

High densities of serotonin and peptide YY cells in the colon of patients with lymphocytic colitis

AIM： TO investigate colonic endocrine cells in lympho- cytic colitis （LC） patients. METHODS： Fifty-seven patients with LC were in- cluded. These patients were 41 females and 16 males, with an average age of 49 years （range 19-84 years）. Twenty-seven subjects that underwent colonoscopy with biopsies were used as controls. These subjects underwent colonoscopy because of gastrointestinal bleeding or health worries, where the source of bleed- ing was identified as haemorrhoids or angiodysplasia. They were 19 females and 8 males with an average age of 49 years （range 18-67 years）. Biopsies from the right and left colon were obtained from both patients and controls during colonoscopy. Biopsies were fixed in 4% buffered paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and cut into 5 μm-thick sections. The sections immunostained by the avidin-biotin-complex method for se- rotonin, peptide YY （PYY）, pancreatic polypeptide （PP） enteroglucagon and somatostatin cells. The cell densi- ties were quantified by computerised image analysis using Olympus software. RESULTS： The colon of both the patient and the control subjects were macroscopically normal. Histo- pathological examination of colon biopsies from con- trols revealed normal histology. All patients fulfilled the diagnosis criteria required for of LC： an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes （〉 20 lymphocytes/100 epithelial cells） and surface epithelial damage with increased lamina propria plasma cells and absent or minimal crypt architectural distribution. In the colon of both patients and control subjects, serotonin-, PYY-, PP-, enteroglucagon- and somatostatin-immunoreac- tive cells were primarily located in the upper part of the crypts of Lieberk0hn. These cells were basket- or flask-shaped. There was no statistically significant dif- ference between the right and left colon in controls with regards to the densities of serotonin- and PYY- immunoreactive cells （P = 0.9 and 0.1, respectively）. Serotonin cell density in the right colon in controls was 28.9 ± 1.8 and in LC patients 41.6±2.6 （P = 0.008）. In the left colon, the corresponding figures were 28.5± 1.9 and 42.4± 2.9, respectively （P = 0.009）. PYY cell density in the right colon of the controls was 10.1 ± 1 and of LC patients 41 ± 4 （P = 0.00006）. In the left colon, PYY cell density in controls was 6.6± 1.2 and in LC patients 53.3 ± 4.6 （P = 0.00007）. CONCLUSION： The change in serotonin cells could be caused by an interaction between immune cells and serotonin cells, and that of PYY density might be sec- ondary.

Involvement of interleukin-15 and interleukin-21, two γ-chain-related cytokines, in celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD), an enteropathy caused by dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, is histologically characterized by villous atrophy, crypt cell hyperplasia, and increased number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes. The nature of CD pathogenesis remains unclear, but recent evidence indicates that both innate and adaptive immune responses are necessary for the phenotypic expression and pathologic changes characteristic of CD. Extensive studies of molecules produced by immune cells in the gut of CD patients have led to identification of two cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-21, which are thought to play a major role in orchestrating the mucosal inflammatory response in CD. Here we review the current knowledge of the expression and function of IL-15 and IL-21 in CD.

Microscopic colitis as a missed cause of chronic diarrhea

AIM: To determine the prevalence of increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, using immunohistochemistry in patients with normal colonoscopy and near normal biopsy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all non-malignant colon mucosal biopsies between 2005 and 2007, reported as normal, chronic inflammation or melanosis coli in patients who were undergoing routine colonoscopy. Immunohistochemistry using CD3 was performed on all mucosal biopsies and an intraepithelial lymphocyte count (IEL) was determined. Cases with an IEL count of ≥ 20 IELs per 100 surface epithelial cells were correlated with demographic, clinical and follow-up data. A further subgroup was evaluated for lymphocytic colitis.RESULTS: Twenty (8.3%) of 241 cases revealed an IEL count ≥ 20. Six (2.5%) patients were identified as having lymphocytic colitis (P < 0.001), of whom, five were missed on initial evaluation (P = 0.01). Four of these five patients were labeled with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). On follow-up, three of the remaining 20 cases were diagnosed with malignancy (renal cell carcinoma and myelodysplastic syndrome) and one had an unknown primary tumor with multiple liver metastases. Two cases of collagenous colitis with an IEL count < 10 were included in this study. Increased IELs were not confined to patients with diarrhea as a primary presenting symptom, but were also present in patients with abdominal pain (n = 7), constipation (n = 3) and loss of weight (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry using CD3 is of value in identifying and quantifying IELs for the presence of microscopic colitis in patients with diarrheapredominant IBS.

Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis may be defined as a clinical syndrome, of unknown etiology, consisting of chronic watery diarrhea, with no alterations in the large bowel at the endoscopic and radiologic evaluation. Therefore, a definitive diagnosis is only possible by histological analysis. The epidemiological impact of this disease has become increasingly clear in the last years, with most data coming from Western countries. Microscopic colitis includes two histological subtypes [collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC)] with no differences in clinical presentation and management. Collagenous colitis is characterized by a thickening of the subepithelial collagen layer that is absent in LC. The main feature of LC is an increase of the density of intra-epithelial lymphocytes in the surface epithelium. A number of pathogenetic theories have been proposed over the years, involving the role of luminal agents, autoimmunity, eosinophils, genetics (human leukocyte antigen), biliary acids, infections, alterations of pericryptal fibroblasts, and drug intake; drugs like ticlopidine, carbamazepine or ranitidine are especially associated with the development of LC, while CC is more frequently linked to cimetidine, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and lansoprazole. Microscopic colitis typically presents as chronic or intermittent watery diarrhea, that may be accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss and incontinence. Recent evidence has added new pharmacological options for the treatment of microscopic colitis:the role of steroidal therapy, especially oral budesonide, has gained relevance, as well as immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. The use of anti-tumor necrosis factoragents, infliximab and adalimumab, constitutes a new, interesting tool for the treatment of microscopic colitis, but larger, adequately designed studies are needed to confirm existing data.

Effects of K. Lysolecithin on Blood Levels of Monoamines in Mice

In this research, Lysolecithin-a substance made with 100% natural ingredients - was given to ICR mice as medication to measure its periodic effect on the noradrenalin (NA), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) levels of the brain. Both ICR and SAM mice were separated into two groups - control group and Lysolecithin (K. Lysolecithin: hydrolytic lysolecithin) medicated group, and given 1-week preparation period. The K. Lysolecithin group was given 500mg/kg of K. Lysolecithin at 0.2mL per dosage for 4 weeks, and the control group was given the same amount of dosage of water during the same period. NA, DA and 5-HT concentrations were measured from the blood before medication and 8 weeks / 12 weeks / 16 weeks after the first medication. For the SAM mice, 8 weeks after they were medicated with K .Lysolecithin, Morris Water Maze Test was conducted for 7 consecutive days and then the concentrations were measured by drawing blood from the heart. The K. Lysolecithin medicated group showed a tendency to have a statistically significant higher concentrations of 5-HT and NA in the blood. Also, periodic examination showed that the monoamine levels were highest in the 12th week and declined thereafter.

Epithelial cell proliferation and glandular atrophy in lymphocytic gastritis: Effect of H pylori treatment

AIM:Lymphocytic gastritis is commonly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.The presence of glandular atrophy and foveolar hyperplasia in lymphocytic gastritis suggests abnormalities in cell proliferation and differentiation, forming a potential link with the suspected association with gastric cancer.Our aim was to compare epibhelial cell proliferation and morphology in H pylori associated lymphocytic gastritis and H pylori gastritis without features of lymphocytic gastritis, and to evaluate the effect of H pylori treatment. METHODS:We studied 14 lymphocytic gastritis patients with H pylori infection.For controls,we selected 14 matched dyspeptic patients participating in another treatment trial whose H pylori infection had successfully been eradicated. Both groups were treated with a triple therapy and followed up with biopsies for 6-18 months (patients) or 3 months (controls).Blinded evaluation for histopathological features was carried out.To determine the cell proliferation index, the sections were labeled with Ki-67 antibody. RESULTS:Before treatment,lymphocytic gastritis was characterized by foveolar hyperplasia (P=0.001) and glandular atrophy in the body (P=0.008),and increased proliferation in both the body (P=0.001) and antrum (P=0.002).Proliferation correlated with foveolar hyperplasia and inflammation activity.After eradication therapy,the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes decreased in the body (P=0.004) and antrum (P=0.065),remaining higher than in controls (P<0.001).Simultaneously,the proliferation index decreased in the body from 0.38 to 0.15 (P=0.043),and in the antrum from 0.34 to 0.20 (P=0.069),the antral index still being higher in lymphocytic gastritis than in controls (P=0.010). Foveolar hyperplasia and glandular atrophy in the body improved (P=0.021),reaching the non-LG level.CONCLUSION: In lymphocytic gastritis, excessive epithelialcell proliferation is predominantly present in the body, where it associates with foveolar hyperplasia and glandular atrophy. These characteristic changes of lymphocytic gastritis are largely related to H pylori infection, as shown by their improvement after eradication. However, some residualdeviation was still seen in lymphocytic gastritis, indicating either an abnormally slow improvement or the presence of some persistent abnormality.

Malignant Adenomyoepithelioma of the Vulva: One Case Report and Literatures Review

Introduction Adenomyoepithelioma （AME） is uncommon characterized by biphasic proliferation of both epithelial and myoepithelial cells. More than half of the adenomyoepitheliomas （AME） are benign, but in rare instances, it may become malignant. Malignant adenomyoepitheliomas almost always occur in the breast and salivary gland. They are unusual in vulva. We report this case and provide some information about symptoms, microstructure, treatment, and a discussion about this kind of disease.

NY futures & A Index turn lower Chinese prices unchanged

2015.5 Recent price movement After trending higher from midMarch through the end of April,values for NY futures and the A Index turned lower in May.Chinese prices have been stable,while Indian and Pakistani prices increased.Prices for the nearby July contract(NY futures)met resistance near 68 cents/

Sources and Levels of Metals in the Upper Litani Basin Soils： Lebanon

There are a number of factors that contribute to heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils including deficient management of solid waste, waste water discharge, irrigation with contaminated water, and use of fertilizers and pesticides. The aim of this study is to estimate the sources and the levels of metals in soils of the ULB （Upper Litani Basin） that receive all mentioned factors. Soil samples were collected during the dry season from 24 sites along the Litani River flow, and 12 sites irrigated by Canal 900 withdrawn from the Qaraoun Dam along river. Metals in soils were analyzed using EDXRF （energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence） technique. Data revealed the following average levels of some heavy metals in soils with high percentage of samples exceeding the international guidelines： Mn （593 mg/kg）--67%, Ni （98 mg/kg）--96%, Cr （143 mg/kg）--92%, Hg （3.6 mg/kg）--38%, Cd （2.8 mg/kg）---25% and As （17.6 mg/kg）-84%. In canal soils： Mn （683 mg/kg）-86%, Ni （156 mg/kg）-100%, Cr （203 mg/kg） -100%, Hg （2.3 mg/kg）-25%, Cd （3.3 mg/kg）-25% and As （19.5 mg/kg）-92%. The prime source of toxic metals was due to the agricultural runoffs, beside sewage and domestic waste water discharge. Thus, the prominent findings of high levels of toxic metals （Cr, Cd, Hg and As） in soils and consequent probability in plants might induce a major health threat to consumers,

Prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer: Clinical analysis of 287 pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: 287 patients suffering from primary epithelial ovarian cancer from 1995 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The 3-, 5-, 10-year survival with systematic lymphadenectomy (SL) were slightly higher than those without SL, but there were no statistically significance (P > 0.05). The 3-, 5-, 10-year survival of clinical stages without SL were lower than those with SL, but there were no significant difference either (P > 0.05). The 3-,5-, and 10-year survival rates with SL were higher than those without SL with no statistically differences (P > 0.05) among the subgroups such as absent, ≤ 2 cm and > 2 cm residual tumor. The survival rates of the groups without residual tumor and the group with ≤ 2 cm residual tumor were significantly higher than that of > 2 cm (P < 0.005). On multivariate analysis, patient staging (P = 0.01) and size of residual disease after primary cytoreductive surgery (P < 0.001 and = 0.002, respectively) retained prognostic significance. SL was not proved to be an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.69). Conclusion: Systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy can not improve and prolong the survival time significantly.

Effects of HLEC on the secreted proteins of epithelial ovarian cancer cells prone to metastasize to lymph nodes

Objective： To study explores the effect of HLEC on the secreted proteins of epithelial ovarian cancer （EOC） cells （SKOV3-PM4） with directional highly lymphatic metastasis. Methods： Supernatants of four groups of cultured cells, namely, SKOV3 （A）, SKOV3＋HLEC （B）, SKOV3-PM4 （C）, SKOV3-PM4＋HLEC （D）, were collected, and their proteins were detected by antibody arrays and iTRAOcZD-LC-MALDI- TOF/TOF/MS. Significantly differential proteins were further analyzed via bioinformatics and validated in human serums and cell media via ELISA. Results： Results of antibody arrays and mass spectrometry demonstrated that GRN and VEGFA were upregulated in group C （compared with group A）, whereas IGFBP7 and SPARC were downregulated in group D （compared with group C）. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis results showed that IGFBP7 and VEGFA were closely linked to each other. Further validation with serums showed statistical significance in VEGFA and IGFBP7 levels among groups of patients with ovarian cancers, benign tumors, and control groups. Two proteins were upegulated in the first group. VEGFA in the control group was downregulated. For IGFBP, upregulation in the control group and down-regulation in the first group were also observed. Conclusion： The HLEC microenvironment is closely associated with directional metastasis to lymph nodes and with differential proteins including cell stromal proteins and adhesion factors. The upregulation of VEGFA and GRN and the downregulation of SPARC and IGFBP7 are closely associated with directional metastasis to lymph nodes in EOC cells.

Hedonism and Adrenaline-Emotional Relation With Rafting

The success of each enterprise is finding, working on it, promoting, and obviously offering what the consumers really love and enjoy. Albania is very useful if you have this mission： Reconciling all the nature components with favorable weather conditions, we can really offer an adventure business, where everyone can discover the beauty of Albania through an unforgettable trip. The key word that summarizes all the elements mentioned is without a doubt “Rafting”. Introducing rafting both as a sport and as a touristic outdoor activity, in that way we develop a new touristic market and a strong promoter of sustainable adventure tourism in Albania. When a person takes pleasure but in an unhealthy extent, how does this affect his personality？ The adrenaline as happiness, meaning and pleasure…The topics that this study is about, are two key terms that will guarantee the success of this “adventure project”： The first is the satisfaction of consumers, which gives us a feedback about the product/service and the second part deals with the term adrenaline （pleasure supreme customer）; hedonic consumer features, part of their character, the main approaches and a study conducted with customers who have attended at least once rafting, customers attending characteristic of emotions, adrenaline, and adventure to take the pleasure of life. A company should always try and please its consumers. Usually, pleased consumers will always come back for more; they will also spread the word and bring new potential consumers into your business that will pay a fair amount of money for a new upcoming product that set company offers. The measurement of consumer satisfaction is a pure indicator of the consumers repurchases intentions, an indicator of the actual performance and differentiation from the current competition. The consumers mind will always remember the name of the company that they had a bad experience rather than the onethey have been satisfied with. Often when we receive a fixed service, our mind tends to create a very close emotional connection to set service. Often we find that the smallest things bring the greatest joy, regardless of the price. For the majority part, following the adrenaline passion is more than just a need. Lately, the traditional notion of purchasing is left behind and everyone is focusing on providing themselves with pleasure and emotions. The definition of the word “hedonic” comes from Ancient Greece, meaning “taking the maximal pleasure from life” being our primary goal.

Determination of Organochlorine Compounds in Sediments from the Upper Middle Sao Francisco River （Bahia, Brazil）

The objective of this study was to determine the contamination of OCPs （organochlorine pesticides） in sediments from the upper middle of Sao Francisco River （Bahia, Brazil） in order to evaluate their potential pollution risks. Samples of surface sediments were collected using a Petersen dredge at 21 stations located between Sobradinho and Cura^i. The organochlorine compounds analyzed were： p,p＇-DDT, p,p＇-DDD, p,p＇-DDE, dicofol, methoxychlor, HCHs, aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan （ct, fl and sulfate） and chlordane （ct and ,/）. Extractions were carried out using the MAE （microwave-assisted extraction） method and organochlorine pesticides determination was achieved by GC/MS （gas chromatography-mass spectrometry）. Organochlorine concentrations ranged between 1.51-820.00 ng.gx, indicating very low to high levels. The most frequent OCPs were endrin aldehyde, -HCH, HCH, HCH, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide.

Interaction between enteric epithelial cells and Peyer's patch lymphocytes in response to Shigella lipopolysaccharide: Effect on nitric oxide and IL-6 release

AIM： TO investigate the effect of interaction between enteric epithelial cells and lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch on the release of nitric oxide （NO） and IL-6 in response to Shigella lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. METHODS： Human colonic epithelial cells （Caco-2） were mixed cocultured with lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch from wild-type （C57 mice） and inducible NO synthase knockout mice, and challenged with Shigella F2a-12 LPS. Release of NO and raiL-6 was measured by Griess colorimetric assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）, respectively. RESULTS： In the absence of LPS challenge, NO was detected in the culture medium of Caco-2 epithelial cells but not in lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch, and the NO release was further up-regulated in both cocultures with lymphocytes from either the wild-type or iNOS knockout mice, with a significantly higher level observed in the coculture with iNOS knockout lymphocytes. After Shigella F2a-12 LPS challenge for 24-h, NO production was significantly increased in both Caco-2 alone and the coculture with lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch from the wild-type mice but not from iNOS knockout mice. LPS was found to stimulate the release of mIL-6 from lymphocytes, which was suppressed by coculture with Caco-2 epithelial cells. The LPS-induced mIL-6 production in lymphocytes from iNOS knockout mice was significantly greater than that from the wild-type mice. CONCLUSION： Lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch maintain a constitutive basal level of NO production from the enteric epithelial cell Caco-2. LPS-induced mIL-6 release from lymphocytes of Peyer＇s patch is suppressed by the cocultured epithelial cells. While no changes are detectable in NO production in lymphocytes from both wild-type and iNOS knockout mice before and after LPS challenge, NO from lymphocytes appears to play an inhibitory role in epithelial NO release and their own mIL-6 release in response to LPS.